About Funding Mechanisms

NIH uses several types of grants to support research projects. Each has special characteristics, uses, and
guidelines. NIDDK supports the NIH funding mechanisms mentioned below. For some awards, however,
the links below provide guidance about specific NIDDK support.

R13 Research Conference Grant

R15 Academic Research Enhancement Award (AREA)

Supports small-scale research projects at educational institutions that provide baccalaureate or advanced degrees for a significant number of the Nation’s research scientists that have not been major recipients of NIH support.

R34 Clinical Trial Planning Grant

Supports the initial development of a clinical trial, including the establishment of the research team; the development of tools for data management and oversight; the development of a trial design and other essential elements of the study; and the collection of feasibility data.

RC2 High Impact, Interdisciplinary Science in NIDDK Research Areas (RC2)

Supports high impact ideas that may lay the foundation for new fields of investigation; accelerate breakthroughs; stimulate early and applied research on cutting-edge technologies; foster new approaches to improve the interactions among multi- and interdisciplinary research teams; or, advance the research enterprise in a way that could stimulate future growth and investments and advance public health and health care delivery.

SC1 Research Enhancement Award

Supports individual investigator-initiated research projects aimed at developing researchers at minority-serving institutions to a stage where they can transition successfully to other extramural support (R01 or equivalent).

UC4 High Impact Research and Research Infrastructure Cooperative Agreement Programs—Multi-Yr Funding

Supports multi-year funded cooperative agreement research with high impact ideas that may lay the foundation for new fields of investigation; accelerate breakthroughs; stimulate early and applied research on cutting-edge technologies; foster new approaches to improve the interactions among multi- and interdisciplinary research teams; or, advance the research enterprise in a way that could stimulate future growth and investments and advance public health and health care delivery.

X01 Resource Access Program

Invites eligible institutions to seek access to NIH research resources. This includes programs where institutions will request access to submit to the resource. It also includes programs where access to a NIH research resource is needed to conduct research.

X02 Preapplication

A program to invite eligible institutions to submit a pre-application (also known as a "white paper" or "précis") to facilitate certain approaches or economies, such as reducing burden on the applicant community, for a funding opportunity

Small Business - R41, R42, R43, R44

R41/R42 Small Business Technology Transfer Grant (STTR)

Supports cooperative R&D projects between small business concerns and research institutions to establish the technical merit and feasibility of ideas that have potential for commercialization. Awards are made to small business concerns only.

R43/R44 Small Business Innovation Research Grant (SBIR)

SB1 Commercialization Readiness Program (CRP)

To support follow-on awards to small businesses for technology development, testing, evaluation, and commercialization assistance for SBIR or STTR Phase II technologies or for awards to small businesses to support the progress of research, research and development, and commercialization conducted under the SBIR or STTR programs to Phase III.

K23 Mentored Patient-Oriented Research Career Development Award

Supports the career development of investigators who have made a commitment to focus their research endeavors on patient-oriented research. Supports early clinician scientists who are transitioning to independence in a junior faculty position and developing their career while pursuing a clinical research project that involves direct patient contact and the support of a mentor(s).

L40 Loan Repayment Program for Pediatric Researchers

NIH may repay up to $35,000 of your qualified student loan debt per year, including most undergraduate, graduate, and medical school loans if you are actively engaged in research related to a pediatric disease or disease model.

R03 Small Research Grant Program

Supports research projects that can be completed in a 2-yr time frame. NIDDK does not participate in the parent FOA for R03s, but issues FOAs for specific audiences, e.g. NIDDK- supported K01, K08, and K23 awardees.

T32 Medical Student Research Training Supplement

Additional slot awarded to an existing training grant for either a specific medical student wishing to take a year off from school to pursue research training or for a pre- or post-doctoral trainee from a group underrepresented in biomedical research, when no slot is available on the training grant.

T32 NRSA Diversity Supplement Award

Additional slot awarded to an existing training grant for either a specific medical student wishing to take a year off from school to pursue research training or for a pre- or post-doctoral trainee from a group underrepresented in biomedical research, when no slot is available on the training grant.

T35 Short-Term National Research Service Award (NRSA)

X02 Preapplication

A program to invite eligible institutions to submit a pre-application (also known as a "white paper" or "précis") to facilitate certain approaches or economies, such as reducing burden on the applicant community, for a funding opportunity

Centers - P20, P30, etc.

P20 Center Exploratory Grant

Supports planning for new programs, modification of existing resources, and feasibility studies to explore various approaches to the development of interdisciplinary programs that offer potential solutions to problems of significance to the NIH.

P50 Specialized Center Grant

Supports any part of the full range of research and development from very basic to clinical; may involve ancillary supporting activities such as protracted patient care necessary to the primary research or R&D effort.

X01 Resource Access Program

Invites eligible institutions to seek access to NIH research resources. This includes programs where institutions will request access to submit to the resource. It also includes programs where access to a NIH research resource is needed to conduct research.